With an enormous passion for live performing and a well-earned reputation for intelligent, premium comedy, Rhys Nicholson’s work continues to receive awards and accolades around the world. A star of the stage and the screen, there is no doubting their domination of Australian comedy, and their inevitable impact on the global scene.
Rhys was hand-picked to open for comedy legend Conan O’Brien on his 2019 Australian tour, followed by their USA television debut as the stand up guest on CONAN (TBS). This was immediately followed by the recording of their third stand up special Nice People Nice Things Nice Situations. The show was released on Netflix worldwide, making Rhys one of only three Australians with a solo show on the streaming giant at that time. The show’s success additionally earned them a nomination for Best Stand Up Comedy Special at the AACTA Awards in 2021. Rhys has additionally received two AACTA Award nominations in the 2024 Awards, Best Stand Up Comedy Special for Big Queer Comedy Concert (Amazon Prime) and Best Comedy Performer for Ru Paul's Drag Race Down Under (STAN).
Alongside a booming stand-up career, Rhys has become a favourite across our small screens. Scripted appearances include being cast as a series regular in the Sci-Fi comedy The Imperfects (NETFLIX), and a recurring role in FISK (NETFLIX). On top of this, Rhys appeared on all four seasons of Drag Race Down Under (STAN), featured as a contestant on Network 10’s Taskmaster Australia, and was invited to appear twice on the re-boot of Thank God You’re Here in 2023 & 2024.
Rhys is also a regular guest on The Weekly with Charlie Pickering (ABC), along with featuring on many of Australia's entertainment shows, including Guy Montgomery Spelling Bee (ABC), Spicks and Specks (ABC), Question Everything (ABC), and Would I Lie To You (ABC). Additionally, viewers may have caught them hosting the 2023 & 2024 ARIA Awards (STAN), New Years Eve Broadcast (ABC), and World Pride Broadcast (ABC).
2023 saw the release of Rhys’s debut book, Dish: Spiels, Scoops, Emotional Outbursts and the Occasional Recipe, published by Penguin Random House.
Rhys has been a beloved mainstay of comedy festivals in Australia and beyond since their inaugural show, with subsequent tours through all major Australian cities, New Zealand, the UK, the USA, and Canada, and an impressive trophy cabinet featuring such prestigious awards as Best of the Fest and Directors Choice at Sydney Comedy Festival, and Best International Show at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival.
They have enjoyed appearances on the televised Melbourne International Comedy Festival's All Stars Gala (ABC), participating frequently with short spots, but also in the prestigious role of host.
Recent years have seen them take their critically acclaimed shows abroad where they performed at the renowned invite-only Just For Laughs Montreal, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, London's Leicester Square Theatre, Soho Playhouse New York, Just For Laughs Toronto and theatres throughout the United States and the UK.
NICE THINGS PEOPLE HAVE SAID
"This is a genuinely great stand-up comedian at work – in total command of his material and audience – and it’s awe-inspiring to watch"- ✭✭✭✭✭ - TIMEOUT
“Nicholson is an astute satirist of the world around him. Clever, a bit below-the-belt... blatantly very funny” - ✭✭✭✭✭ - SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
“Razor-sharp, corrosive wit” SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
“evolving into an incisive wizard of stinging wit.” SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
“Nicholson is an expert in line-crossing while keeping an audience onside.”✭✭✭✭ CRIKEY
“He belongs on the stage, and isn’t afraid to show it” The Guardian (UK)
“Honest and filthy, yes. Intelligent and hilarious? Without a doubt.” ✭✭✭✭ BEAT MAG
”Hilarious…uproariously catty…sure to entertain with his sharp wit.” ✭✭✭✭ HERALD SUN
“This is brilliant, confronting, confessional comedy” ✭✭✭✭ HERALD SUN
“His style of humour was fresh, daring and definitely killed.” ✭✭✭✭ THE AU REVIEW
“Cripplingly Funny” ✭✭✭✭ Sunday Express (UK)
“A tongue that strips flesh” ✭✭✭✭ SGFringe (UK)
LIVE SHOWS
Huge Big Party Congratulations (2024)
RHYS! RHYS! RHYS! (2022 & 2023)
Nice People, Nice Things, Nice Situations (2019)
Seminal (2018) Won Best International New Zealand Comedy Festival
I'm Fine (2017) Nominated Best Show New Zealand Comedy Festival
Bona Fide (2016) Nominated Best Show Melbourne Int Comedy Festival
Forward (2015) Nominated Best Show PCF
Eurgh (2014) Wasn't nominated for anything. In retrospect, probably not a great show.
Dawn Of A New Error (2013) Won Best Joke SCF
Almost A Person (2012) Won Best Newcomer SCF
FILM & TV
Taskmaster - Network 10
After Midnight - CBS (USA)
Thank God You're Here - Network 10
Ru Paul's Drag Race Down Under - Stan
The Imperfects – Netflix Rhys Nicholson
Live At The Athenaeum – Netflix
Why Are You Like This? – ABCTV/Netflix
The Weekly – ABCTV
Fisk – ABCTV
Conan - TBS
Live From the BBC - BBC
GAYCRASHERS - ABCTV
Cram - Network 10
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala 2024 - ABCTV
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala 2022 - ABCTV
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala 2019 - ABCTV
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala 2018 - ABCTV
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala 2017 - ABCTV
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala 2016 - Network 10
JUST FOR LAUGHS STAND UP SERIES- Comedy Channel
SYDNEY COMEDY FESTIVAL CRACKER NIGHT- Comedy Channel
THE FEED - SBS
DIRTY LAUNDRY- ABCTV
COMEDY UP LATE 2014- ABCTV
COMEDY UP LATE 2015- ABCTV
COMEDY UP LATE 2016- ABCTV
COMEDY UP LATE 2017- ABCTV
THE MORNING SHOW – STYLE SQUAD- Channel 7
HOUSOS VS AUTHORITY- Feature Film
MAKING FRIENDS WITH RHYS NICHOLSON - Webseries
BALLS OF STEEL Series 1 & 2 - Comedy Channel
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